Two centuries and a record breaking first wicket partnership were the highlight of Reeds third teams visit to Kings Langley.Kings Langley III won the toss and decided to bat, their openers made steady progress against opening Reed bowlers Ward and Giblin. The small size of the pitch and the lightning fast outfield made it difficult for the fielding side and the ball shot to the boundary whenever it beat the infield. Matt Giblin (14-0-2-47) was the pick of the Reed bowling, but it was Kallum Ward (6-0-1-26) who struck first, bowling Thompson for 2. The fall of the first wicket brought 15-year-old Toms to the crease and it was his 125 and Barters 51 not out that helped the home side to a sizable score. Will Heslam (10-0-1-39) and Lewis Fitzgerald (8-0-1-47) also bowled well in a young Reed bowling attack. Kings Langley decided to declare on 252 for 6 after 50 overs.The target score of 253 to win at first appeared daunting, however after 10 overs and Reeds score on 62 without loss it was clear that William ‘Pud’ Heslam was back. He struck the ball to all parts of the ground; the Kings Langley team had no answer to his onslaught and the score rattled along at an astonishing pace. Paul Garrott also played his part, nudging the ball around and milking the runs, allowing Heslam to hit the boundaries. In desperation the home captain used nine different bowlers in an effort to take a wicket. This was to no avail, as the first Reed wicket did not fall until the 34th over with the score on 239. Heslam was adjudged LBW after hitting a magnificent 143 which included five sixes. The opening [...]

This week Reed III hosted last seasons Division 11 Champions, Hitchin III. After winning the toss the Reed Captain invited the visitors to bat. On a damp pitch, life for the Hitchin batsman was very difficult and they made slow progress against the bowling of Julian Fynn (13-3-22) and Matt Giblin (7-0-30). After Fynn dismissed the two opening bats, Willis attempted to hit out and for a few overs the run rate increased. Willis (21) was dismissed by an incredible catch by Will Heslam off the bowling of Lewis Fitzgerald (6-3-10). The Reed bowlers were helped with some good catches being taken by Paul Garrot and Scott Caine. Lewis Fitzgerald snapped up a very sharp caught and bowled chance and Steve Lovegrove took a flying one handed catch behind the stumps off the bowling of Heslam who returned a very miserly 2-1 of off his 3 overs. The only other bowler that was required was off spinner Nick Green who finished on 3.3-1-21. Hitchin were dismissed in 32.3 overs for 89.By the time tea had been taken and the Reed opening pair of Garrott and Heslam walked out to bat the conditions had improved. Heslam played himself in before taking took full advantage off the improving batting track, whilst Garrott played his usual patient anchor role. The score was on 21 when the pair went for an unnecessary run and Garrott was run out by a very good throw from the boundary. Ben Bowles (13 n.o) joined Heslam (61 n.o) and the pair guided Reed home to a nine wicket win, 30 points, and second position in division 10.

Reed III stayed in touch with the league leaders and pulled a little further away from chasing pack with an away win at Hatch End. Winning the toss for the fourth match in succession, Reed skipper Maseeh Naeem put the hosts in on a dubious looking track, and Reed’s young opening bowlers took full advantage of the circumstances. Matt Giblin and Louis Fitzgerald gave the Hatch End openers few opportunities to score runs. Fitzgerald removed Richardson with his first ball, the opener edging to a very appreciative Ian Fulk at first slip. After that Matt Giblin ripped through the top and middle order taking 5 wickets in his opening seven over spell, leaving Hatch End teetering on 25 for 7. Williams and Short attempted to consolidate and their partnership managed to push the score, albeit slowly towards 50 before James Hooper (4-0-1-13) had Williams caught behind by Steve Lovegrove for 17. Matt Naeem (7-2-1-27) then removed Short for 10, Hooper taking a sharp catch at short mid on. The Hatch End skipper Sherman (27n.o) then rallied what was left of the tail and managed to push the Hatch End total to 104 after 36.2 overs. The standout performances were that of Matt Giblin (8-0-5-24) and Louis Fitzgerald (12.2-4-2-13), both youngsters bowling with pace and control.Ben Bowles and Richard Barlow opened the batting for Reed, on a pitch that was still very unpredictable. The opening Hatch End bowlers bowled a steady line and length and it was obvious to all that patience was going to be needed to reach the 105 total. Barlow was again unlucky edging to slip with the score on 3. He was replaced by Ian Fulk returning after a few weeks absence. [...]

Reed made the journey to the heart of leafy Hertfordshire, to play promotion rivals of recent seasons Frogmore. Balding pace man R Martin was amazingly called in to the twos but he was easily replaced by youngster Matt Giblin. Balding pace man Martin usually takes the new ball, but the honour was granted to Fitzgerald (0-31)and Ward (0-29). Ward was proving very wayward and very expensive and was taken off after only a few over's and replaced by Fynn (12-2-58) who struck twice. Reed never looked like taking another wicket until Giblin came in to the attack and bowled extremely well, with good economy and snared the dangerous Bascott. At 144-3 off just 29 over's, skipper Naeem turned to Archer, and in a spell of accurate bowling taking 5-12 off 11.1 over's Frogmore collapsed to 202 all out. Naeem's off breaks accounting for the remaining two batsman. After looking at chasing well over 300 at one stage the total of 203 to win looked well within Reed's grasp.Unfortunately Frogmore's extremely quick opening attack had not read the script they tore through the top order reducing Reed to 49-8. Giblin (32no) proved a worthy replacement for the balding pace man Martin with the bat also as firstly with Naeem (10) and then Archer (14) he helped steer Reed past the 3 figure mark.Skipper Naeem was philosophical in defeat " We played against a first team and even in Div 10, these teams can have players playing several divisions below their level. It did not help that we bowled so poorly to start with and none of the batsmen applied themselves and dug in. The undefeated "monkey" is now off our back and we expect to return to winning ways next week, when [...]

Reed III continued their push for promotion by defeating a spirited Datchworth side on a rain affected day at Freman College. Winning the toss Mas Naeem the Reed Captain invited the visitors to bat. This at first seemed to have been a mistake; the Datchworth batting proved to be able and experienced. The Reed cause was not helped by their fielding performance, four catches going down and the ground fielding not to the usual standard. Julian Fynn and Kallum Ward opened the bowling; after Ward bowled opener Jay for 4 in his opening spell Datchworth kept the score board moving by running quick singles and hitting the bad balls to the boundary. Reed made regular changes to the bowling in an effort to take wickets but by now Willington was settled in and moved past his 50. Louis Fitzgerald (7-1-41) replaced Ward and picked up a wicket, Richard Barlow (4-1-27) also chipped in with a sharp caught and bowled and Matt Naeem (7-0-28) was denied the wicket of Willington, when the standing umpire stated he had not heard the very loud edge, when he was caught behind the stumps by Steve Lovegrove. Willington later had to retire hurt on 91 when he was hit on the hand by Fynn, ending up at the QE2 hospital with a suspected broken thumb. Ward (11-1-43) returned for a second spell and with Fynn, who bowled 20 overs picking up 2-50 saw the Datchworth innings to the close, the visitors finishing on 236 for 6 after the allotted 53 overs.In reply Ben Bowles and Richard Barlow made a good start, easily keeping up with the required run rate. Bowles took his time to settle in and Barlow looked in [...]

A high scoring draw was the result of the contest between Reed and Chorleywood thirds.Reed Captain, Maseeh Naeem, won the toss and decided to bat first; he was acutely aware that the opposition had posted a score of 250 plus the previous week and needed his batsman to get a big score. Paul Garrott and Fergus Martin opened but in the third over Garrott had to depart the crease after being caught at slip with the score on 11. Ian Fulk joined Martin and the pair put on 63 runs before Fulk was bowled for 16. Martin batted with confidence and appeared untroubled at the crease, some elegant shots to the boundary kept the Reed score ticking over. The run rate really accelerated when the in form Julian Fynn went in at four and the pair put on a very positive 90 runs before Martin was out for 68. Ben Bowles arrival at the crease kept the score heading towards a very competitive total. When Fynn was out for a wonderful 87 and Bowles fell on 34 the Reed innings came to a close on 259 for 7 after the allotted 53 overs. Reed’s bowling was weakened by the promotion of the thirds top wicket takers; Rupert Martin promoted to the two’s and the ever dependable Jason Archer to retirement. Lewis Fitzgerald and Matt Giblin opened the bowling and persevered under the onslaught of the Chorleywood opening batsman. Their skipper Dare was especially brutal when the young Reed bowlers strayed a fraction in line or length punishing them with shots to the boundary. Giblin and Fitzgerald were taken out of the attack, with the skipper introducing himself and Fynn (14-1-1-57) to the bowling in an [...]

Reed buoyed by their opening day victory entertained Boxmoor at Fortress Freeman. Skipper Naeem won the toss and invited the visitors to bat. R Martin took the new ball and set about them in a tremendous spell of bowling, the balding pace man took 6-45 off 21 over's partner Archer removing Boxmoors 3 danger men to finish with 3-24. Boxmoor crept over the 100 mark as a tired Martin took some late "stick". 104 to win not the most challenging of totals and at 61-2 all seemed rosy. There followed an inexplicable collapse and only Ian Fulk on 46no batted sensibly to see Reed home to a 3 wicket victory.

Baldock visited Fortress Freeman for the latest Div 10 encounter. The Town decided to bat on the fine track and thanks to excellent contributions from O'Brian, Rist and Gazely reached 214 all out. Balding pace man R Martin again the pick of the attack with 4-57 off 17 over's. In reply Reed lost Will Heslam for 5, but Baldock did not trouble the wickets column for another 130 runs, as  I Fulk (65) and  Barlow (68) both passed 50. Town picked up a couple of middle order wickets but Fynn (35no) and Lovegrove saw Reed home  with over's to spare.After 3 straight wins in the new division skipper Naeem played down any expectations. "We've made a solid start, but still we need to improve, fielding has been patchy as has some of the middle order batting, but this will improve I've no doubt. The success so far has been down to the younger players like Rupert, Julien and Ian I hope their early form continues".

With rain affecting most of the games this Saturday it was important for Reed III's to win at Abbots Langley to keep up the pressure on the top teams. Loosing the toss Abbots decided to bat first. Lewis Fitzgerald and Matt Giblin opened the attack and were soon into the openers with one early wicket each. Paul Garrott caught a threatening Noonan off Gibiln whilst Steve Lovegrove caught his team mate off Lewis Fitzgerald, before Giblin again struck bowling Abbots number three. Fitzgerald 6-0-29-1 made way for Kallum Ward who began impressively taking two wickets in two balls in only his second over. At the other end Giblin 7-0-5-2 made way for William Heslam who did not take long to register his first wicket. Ward and Heslam cleaned up the remaining wickets for very few runs with Heslam finishing on 5-0-10-2 and pick of the bowlers Ward finishing with excellent figures of 6.1-0-18-5. Abbots all out for 71 in 24.1 overs! A mere 72 to get! Paul Garrott square cut to point third ball - 0 for 1. Three balls later and Julian Fynn was harshly adjudged LBW for 0, score 2-2. Four balls later William Heslam out LBW for 1, score 4-3! The introduction of Richard Barlow and Graham Wilson saw them steady the innings and although each found the going difficult at times they managed to take the total to 49 for 3 at tea. After the break and just before the heaviest rain of the game Graham Wilson steered the ball to third man to hit the winning runs - unfortunately just missing his first League 50 by one ending on 49 not out. Richard Barlow at the other end finished on [...]